ovenbird typed: <i>&Beyond has a stay 4/pay 3 for South Africa, but it's pay up front and non-refundable.</i>

Who told you that you have to pay in advance? It's not consistent with the information that I received.

The terms of the Stay 4/Pay 3 deal, termed a Signature Offer, are (1) 50% of the total to be paid within 14 days of confirmation (regardless of credit terms) and (2) payments are non-refundable.

http://www.andbeyondafrica.com/safar..._for_less_2011

50% up front is what I'd been told. The info from overbird seemed to suggest that the entire amount had to be paid in advance.

Sorry if I misled anyone about the &Beyond stay 4/pay 3 special. I got hooked by the "non-refundable" part and incorrectly thought when you paid was moot.

ovenbird- Check the reviews of Phinda over at tripadvisor.com, and many people here LOVE it. Great reviews of Phinda (and Tembe - I know, I'm a broken record). The eco-system is entirely different than greater Kruger. It's near the ocean, which neither Madikwe nor Mashatu are.

Here is atravelynn's (a Fodor's fave, who seems to be away right now) report from Phinda June 2009: (There are many more)

http://www.fodors.com/community/afri...rip-report.cfm

I was at Mashatu in June 2009. It far exceeded our expectations.

The only thing I can reasonably guarantee is you will see baboons and ellies. Other than than, it's luck of the draw. I've been in the bush for 19 nights and only have seen wild dog once, in bad light. Cheetahs, which hadn't been spotted in Mashatu for many months were seen twice while there for just four nights. We saw bush pigs one day - didn't know they had those, but they are considered a pest. Still waiting for the pangolin, which should keep me going back forever.

If you pay significantly up front, consider travel insurance. You can pay insurance for just the non-refundable part and up it as you pay more. I didn't know that.

We've finally decided to make it easy on ourselves and stay at &Beyond camps close to each other but with different habitat. So it's 4 nights each (couldn't pass up that stay4/pay3 offer) at Ngala Tented Lodge and Exeter Dulini Lodge. Exeter River Lodge, our first choice, was full.

We also decided our next trip (yes, of course there will be a next trip!) to South Africa will include MalaMala and some of the other camps you guys mentioned...they all sound great!

One more question...is malaria prevalent at this time of year (May/June)?

Thanks for all the input!

Marsha

Marsha-I will be watching for your trip report. Hope you have a great time. We have decided to wait until August next year. We were swaying to the &beyond camps, too. I look forward to hearing your experiences.

~Cris

Cris, I'll try to post something (but don't expect a blow by blow trip report, though) as there doesn't seem to be much online re Dulini Lodge or Ngala Tented Camp. & Beyond is pricey, but the pay3/stay4 along with the one stop shopping was worth the extra $$$...I hope! We're not good DIYers!

Marsha

Marsha, Thanks! That will be great. I thought the same thing about the &beyond. The 4 for 3 makes a nice difference, though. We will be using a consultant, too. Hope you are happy with your choices. And especially your wonderful trip. Not too long off now!

~Cris